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USDA, FDA and CDC Share Update on

HPAI Detections in Dairy Cattle

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Editor's Note: An original version of this release listed Ohio among the states with

presumptive positives, which was in error. This release has also been updated to

include a link to a frequently asked questions document. 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials, are continuing to

investigate an illness among dairy cows that is causing decreased lactation, low

appetite, and other symptoms.

On Monday, March 25, the agencies confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic

avian influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Texas and two dairy herds in Kansas that

had cattle exhibiting these symptoms.   

USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has now also confirmed the

presence of HPAI in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from

Texas. Presumptive positive test results have also been received for additional herds

in New Mexico, Idaho, and Texas; USDA will share updates if those tests are

confirmed positive by NVSL. Federal and state agencies continue to conduct

additional testing in swabs from sick animals and in unpasteurized clinical milk
samples from sick animals, as well as viral genome sequencing, to assess whether

HPAI or another unrelated illness may be underlying any symptoms

The NVSL has also confirmed that the strain of the virus found in Michigan is very

similar to the strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas that appears to have been

introduced by wild birds (H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b).

 Initial testing has not found changes to the virus that would make it more

transmissible to humans. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected

animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low.

Spread of symptoms among the Michigan herd also indicates that HPAI transmission

between cattle cannot be ruled out; USDA and partners continue to monitor this

closely and have advised veterinarians and producers to practice good biosecurity,

test animals before necessary movements, minimize animal movements, and isolate

sick cattle from the herd. Among the dairies whose herds are exhibiting symptoms,

the affected animals have recovered after isolation with little to no associated

mortality reported. 

There continues to be no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply

because products are pasteurized before entering the market, or that this

circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. Dairies are required to send only milk

from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from impacted

animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the human food

supply. In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and

viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering

interstate commerce for human consumption. FDA’s longstanding position is that

unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose

serious health risks to consumers, and FDA is reminding consumers of the risks

associated with raw milk consumption in light of the HPAI detections.

Because of the limited information available about the transmission of HPAI in raw

milk, the FDA recommends that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or

raw/unpasteurized milk cheese products made with milk from cows showing

symptoms of illness, including those infected with avian influenza or exposed to

those infected with avian influenza.  At this time, the FDA is not aware that any milk

or food product from symptomatic cows is entering interstate commerce. 

Furthermore, if milk from cows showing symptoms of illness, including those

infected with avian influenza or exposed to those infected with avian influenza is
intended to be used to feed calves, FDA strongly encourages that it be heat treated

to kill harmful bacteria or viruses, such as influenza, before calf feeding. Food safety

information from FDA, including information about the sale and consumption of raw

milk, can be found here. 

Milk loss resulting from symptomatic cattle to date is too limited to have a major

impact on supply and there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy

products. Further, the U.S. typically has a more than sufficient milk supply in the

spring months due to seasonally higher production.

Federal agencies are also working with state and industry partners to encourage

farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly so that we can monitor

potential additional cases and minimize the impact and risk to farmers, farmworkers,

consumers and other animals. Producers are urged to work with their veterinarian to

report cattle illnesses quickly and practice enhanced biosecurity measures. More

information on biosecurity measures can be found here. 

USDA and federal and state partners will continue to share additional updates as

information becomes available. APHIS has also prepared Frequently Asked Questions

document, which can be accessed here.